Best route from Melbourne to Coffs Harbour

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 21:33
ThreadID: 75186 Views:14324 Replies:10 FollowUps:6
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Which would be the best way to travel from Melbourne to Coffs Harbour towing a van. 'Where-is' gives directions via Sydney & Pacific Hwy but I thought it may be better to go via the Newell Hwy to Armidale and then to the coast. It appears to be about 100km shorter via Sydney but would the traffic be worse.
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Reply By: Member - Julie P (VIC) - Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 22:21

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 22:21
Look on map for "Putty Road" - near Cambelltown NSW - goes up through Richmond Windsor - from Highway 1 - bypass Sydney.
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Follow Up By: oldfart1953 - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 08:48

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 08:48
Hi Julie,
You certainly dont want Jolo for a friend do you.... suggesting that he tow a van up the Putty Rd, such a long, slow road
Insanity doesnt run in my family.... it gallops!

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Follow Up By: Cruiser .- Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 10:09

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 10:09
Julie,

The Putty Rd is nowhere near Campbelltown, it actually runs from Windsor to Singleton.

The Northern Rd runs from the Great Western Hwy through Narellan, Bringelly, Luddenham, Mulgoa, Penrith to Windsor, then it becomes the Putty Rd.

Cheers,

Cruiser

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Reply By: Member - Duncs - Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 22:29

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 22:29
Of the two routes you have described I would take the Newell to Armidale.

I guess the Hume would be pretty quick between Melbourne and Sydney but getting through Sydney is always painful. The highway north of Newcastle is getting better everyday but it still needs some work. Last time I was up that way there was plenty of roadworks which slow things down too. Also just south of Coffs, from about Nambucca the road is a pretty slow.

I am not sure which would be the quickest but inland would be a lot easier on you. The travelling is easier, more relaxing and very pretty. The only bit that will have you working hard is coming down the hill from Armidale. It is windy, tight and slow but it is all sealed.

Duncs
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Follow Up By: trickytoo - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 08:03

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 08:03
I would take the Hume all the way to Casula which is on the outskirts of Sydney, and then pick up the M7 ( the M7 only has electronic tolling). Follow the freeway all the way to the Pennant Hills Rd exit, you will then have about 15 kilometres of built up traffic but will then get onto the F3/Pacific Hwy.

The Pacific Hwy is constantly being upgraded and for the most part is dual carriage way in both directions. If you have the time, there are some lovely coastal towns along the way.

I would avoid the Putty Rd, its great on a motor bike or in a sports car but is very slow going towing a van, lots of tight bends and steep inclines.

trickytoo
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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 08:13

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 08:13
Jolo,

The road down from Armidale through Dorrigo is steep and winding. Another option, not quite so steep but still with some tight corners is the Oxley highway through Tamworth, Walcha and Port Macquarie. The route from the Newell with the least grade would have to be the Golden Highway from Dubbo through Merriwa and Maitland to the bridge across the Hunter R at Hexham, then up the Pacific Highway.
But now that the M7 is open to take you around Sydney pretty painlessly that would have to be the easiest way surely?
It really depends on what you are looking for. There will be plenty of traffic on on all the major highways but at least with the Hume and Pacific around Sydney there are multiple lanes.

Cheers,

Val
J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
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Reply By: sweetwill - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 11:13

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 11:13
hi jolo.
I would go the way trickytoo mentioned you don't go anywhere near the centre of Sydney it is mostly express way except for 10ks also the fuel is cheaper that way bill.
AnswerID: 399337

Reply By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 16:20

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 16:20
I would go straight up the Hume, onto the M7 aorund to Pennant hill road (as mentioned), then straight up the coast on the pacific.
Only problem is you will need to have an Etoll (or whatever they are called) transponder to pay tolls as they are all automated.
Freeway for 85% of your trip, no mountian ranges to climb or descent.
Shane
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Reply By: Member - Duncs - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 17:37

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 17:37
I drive in Sydney every day. I use the expressways mentioned in the replies above frequently and unless you are travelling before 7am you don't want to know about the M5, M7 or M2. I believe this passionatley enough to make sure I get to work at 6:30 even though I don't have to be there until 7:30.

I know it's not as bad after the morning peak and before the afternoon peak, most of the time. but that only leaves a small window in daylight hours where the travelling is good. Add the cost of the tolls which all of those roads carry and the cost of fuel is a very minor concern. I stand by what I said I would go via the Newell.

Maybe I just hate driving in Sydney and will do anything to avoid it. That and I really enjoy the run along the Newell and down into Coffs or Grafton.

Duncs
AnswerID: 399396

Follow Up By: Gazal Champion - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 20:16

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 20:16
Hi Duncs,

I'm with you!
We moved out of Sydney about 25 years ago, best thing we ever did.
Now we recon you get the best view of Sydney at Hornsby, "In your rear vision mirror".

I shudder every evening when they show us the traffic on the TV banked up for kilometres.

Cheers, Bruce.
At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Reply By: Member - Carl- Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 17:48

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 17:48
Shane has the right idea.

Hume then Pacific Hy. Cambelltown to Hornsby section on a Sunday morning. Look on the internet, the toll roads in Sydney have a great web site for planning this part. On and off ramps etc. When you get off at Pennent Hills exit, the etoll exit is the right of the two. Otherwise you will get stuck behind everyone paying the toll.

Certainly need a etoll card. There are 20 kilometers of road works south of Kew but the rest is pretty good.

Tamworth to Port Macquarie and Armidale to Coffs are both windy and steep. They however are also very pretty.

Both have trucks but they can get around you easier on the Hume / Pacific Hy

AnswerID: 399398

Reply By: Gazal Champion - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 20:04

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 20:04
Hi Jolo,

I have travelled from Warnambool (Vic) to Port Macquarie (NSW) via the Newell Highway on one occasion and via the Newell from the Murray on other occasions
towing a van and I recon it is less stressful and probably quicker than Hume and pacific considering you have to negotiate Sydney and all the traffic on that route towing a van.

Others have suggested this and I agree with them that the best way is via the Newell to Gilgandra Coonabarabran, tamworth and Oxley Highway to Pacific highway near Port Macquarie then just up the Pacific Highway to Coffs.
Can't go wrong.

I live near Port macquarie.

Cheers, Bruce.
At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Follow Up By: Gazal Champion - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 20:11

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 20:11
Should have added ;
Make sure you stop for an overnighter at Apsley falls 20K east of Walcha towards Port macquarie.

This is a National park and the camp ground is great, good flushing loos but no showers, no power as you might expect and it only costs $5 per head per nigh on the honesty systemt. The lookout at the falls is spectacular especially if there is recent rain and the falls are working well. Make sure you have a camera.

Regards, Bruce.
At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Reply By: jolo - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 20:35

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 20:35
Thanks for all the responses. Is there any extra charges for a van on the toll roads? I have a Melbourne E-Tag so assume it will get me through the tolls. It has been many decades since I last did that trip and am pleased to see the Pacific Hwy has a lot more dual sections so that may make it a bit more relaxing to go at my pace without trucks on the tail. Last time I did the trip via Sydney about 20 years ago we missed the turn-off to bypass the central city area and ended up towing the van over the Harbour Bridge - not an enjoyable experience even if I was much younger. For the inland route, I am not too worried about the winding/steep section from Dorrigo down as I do not recall it being a problem when I did a few trips many years ago. I also live just north of the black spur NE of Melbourne and am used to narrow winding roads. As we were going with the kids and grandkids, I thought we might spend some time at the Dubbo zoo as well.
AnswerID: 399428

Reply By: Member - Michael John T (VIC) - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 21:39

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 21:39
Jolo

If it were me I would avoid both the main highways (we always do) and head for Shep then Tocumwal out through the plains to Jerrilderie, then choose a route to Dubbo through the very picturesque little towns (the Newell is full of large fast trucks), it can be a very pleasant trip, perhaps a little longer but hey whats an extra day if you enjoy the drive.

We were at the Dubbo zoo last week and it is certainly worth the dollars, you can drive your vehicle around, hire and electric trolly, hire bikes or simply walk. You get a two day pass automatically. The Big 4 park just past the zoo and closest to it is excellent.

Make sure you enjoy the trip which ever way you choose, Why not go one way and come home the other? The Putty road is great but not for vans in my opinion.

Regards
Mike.

AnswerID: 399442

Follow Up By: Member - Michael John T (VIC) - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 21:46

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 21:46
Soprry, I ment to mention that Tocumwal, Findley and Jerrilderie all have good c'van parks. You can also free (bush) camp on the common deside the creek just before you reach the Jerrilderie cemertery (on the left of the road).

Mike.
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